Physics with Coherent Matter Waves

This review discusses progress in the new field of coherent matter waves, in particular with respect to Bose-Einstein condensates. We give a short introduction to Bose-Einstein condensation and the theoretical description of the condensate wavefunction. We concentrate on the coherence properties of this new type of matter wave as a basis for fundamental physics and applications. The main part of this review treats various measurements and concepts in the physics with coherent matter waves. In particular we present phase manipulation methods, atom lasers, nonlinear atom optics, optical elements, interferometry and physics in optical lattices. We give an overview of the state of the art in the respective fields and discuss achievements and challenges for the future

Advances, challenges and future directions for stem cell therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative condition where loss of motor neurons within the brain and spinal cord leads to muscle atrophy, weakness, paralysis and ultimately death within 3–5 years from onset of symptoms. The specific molecular mechanisms underlying the disease pathology are not fully understood and neuroprotective treatment options are minimally effective. In recent years, stem cell transplantation as a new therapy for ALS patients has been extensively investigated, becoming an intense and debated field of study. In several preclinical studies using the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS, stem cells were demonstrated to be neuroprotective, effectively delayed disease onset and extended survival. Despite substantial improvements in stem cell technology and promising results in preclinical studies, several questions still remain unanswered, such as the identification of the most suitable and beneficial cell source, cell dose, route of delivery and therapeutic mechanisms. This review will cover publications in this field and comprehensively discuss advances, challenges and future direction regarding the therapeutic potential of stem cells in ALS, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cells. In summary, given their high proliferation activity, immunomodulation, multi-differentiation potential, and the capacity to secrete neuroprotective factors, adult mesenchymal stem cells represent a promising candidate for clinical translation. However, technical hurdles such as optimal dose, differentiation state, route of administration, and the underlying potential therapeutic mechanisms still need to be assessed

Tevatron Run II combination of the effective leptonic electroweak mixing angle

Drell-Yan lepton pairs produced in the process pp[over ¯]→ℓ⁺ℓ⁻+X through an intermediate γ*/Z boson have an asymmetry in their angular distribution related to the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the electroweak force and the associated mixing of its neutral gauge bosons. The CDF and D0 experiments have measured the effective-leptonic electroweak mixing parameter sin²θ[subscript eff][superscript lept] using electron and muon pairs selected from the full Tevatron proton-antiproton data sets collected in 2001-2011, corresponding to 9–10  fb⁻¹ of integrated luminosity. The combination of these measurements yields the most precise result from hadron colliders, sin²θ[subscript eff][superscript lept] = 0.23148±0.00033. This result is consistent with, and approaches in precision, the best measurements from electron-positron colliders. The standard model inference of the on-shell electroweak mixing parameter sin²θ[subscript W], or equivalently the W-boson mass M[subscript W], using the zfitter software package yields sin²θ[subscript W] = 0.22324±0.00033 or equivalently, M[subscript W] = 80.367±0.017  GeV/c²

Spirituality, Gender, and druG uSe amonG StudentS From one uniVerSity in BarBadoS

aBStraCt: The research aimed to clarify the relationships between spirituality, gender, and drug use among undergraduate students of one university in Barbados. A quota sample of 250 students was required from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the study was part of a larger multi-centric study involving students from the Faculty of Social Sciences from seven other participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Significant negative relationships were found between a student's level of spirituality and their licit and illicit drug use over the past 12 and three months. Males and females also differed significantly in terms of illicit drug use (past 12 and three months). However no gender differences were found as it related to licit drug use. Moreover, females possessed significantly higher levels of spirituality than their male counterparts. Further qualitative research should be conducted among this age group within the Barbadian context to better explain these findings. deSCriptorS: eSpiritualidad, el Sexo y el ConSumo de droGaS entre loS eStudianteS de una uniVerSidad en BarBadoS reSumen: La investigación tuvo como objetivo aclarar la relación entre la espiritualidad , el sexo y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes de pregrado de una universidad en Barbados . Una muestra por cuotas de 250 estudiantes fue requerido por la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales como el estudio fue parte de un estudio multicéntrico grande que participen estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de otros siete países participantes de América Latina y el Caribe . Relaciones negativas significativas fueron encontradas entre el nivel de un estudiante de la espiritualidad y de su uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas en los últimos 12 y tres meses . Hombres y mujeres también difieren significativamente en términos de consumo de drogas ilícitas (últimos 12 y tres meses) . Sin embargo no se encontraron diferencias de género en su relación con el uso de drogas lícitas . Por otra parte , las mujeres poseían niveles significativamente más altos de espiritualidad que sus homólogos masculinos . Además la investigación cualitativa debe llevarse a cabo dentro de este grupo de edad en el contexto de Barbados para explicar mejor estos hallazgos . deSCriptoreS: Familia. Espiritualidad. Drogas ilicitas. Estudiantes

Treating breast cancer through novel inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase pathway

Recent studies indicate that constitutive signaling through the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) pathway is a cause of treatment resistance in breast cancer patients. This implies that patients with tumors that exhibit aberrant PI3K signaling may benefit from targeted pathway inhibitors. The first agents to make it to the clinic are the rapamycin analogs. These compounds inhibit the downstream PI3K effector mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). A study presented in this issue of Breast Cancer Research suggests that recently developed inhibitors of phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, a more proximal target of the PI3K pathway, may provide an alternative route to effective PI3K pathway inhibition for breast cancer treatment

Spirituality, Gender, and druG uSe amonG StudentS From one uniVerSity in BarBadoS

aBStraCt: The research aimed to clarify the relationships between spirituality, gender, and drug use among undergraduate students of one university in Barbados. A quota sample of 250 students was required from the Faculty of Social Sciences as the study was part of a larger multi-centric study involving students from the Faculty of Social Sciences from seven other participating countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Significant negative relationships were found between a student's level of spirituality and their licit and illicit drug use over the past 12 and three months. Males and females also differed significantly in terms of illicit drug use (past 12 and three months). However no gender differences were found as it related to licit drug use. Moreover, females possessed significantly higher levels of spirituality than their male counterparts. Further qualitative research should be conducted among this age group within the Barbadian context to better explain these findings. deSCriptorS: eSpiritualidad, el Sexo y el ConSumo de droGaS entre loS eStudianteS de una uniVerSidad en BarBadoS reSumen: La investigación tuvo como objetivo aclarar la relación entre la espiritualidad , el sexo y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes de pregrado de una universidad en Barbados . Una muestra por cuotas de 250 estudiantes fue requerido por la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales como el estudio fue parte de un estudio multicéntrico grande que participen estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de otros siete países participantes de América Latina y el Caribe . Relaciones negativas significativas fueron encontradas entre el nivel de un estudiante de la espiritualidad y de su uso de drogas lícitas e ilícitas en los últimos 12 y tres meses . Hombres y mujeres también difieren significativamente en términos de consumo de drogas ilícitas (últimos 12 y tres meses) . Sin embargo no se encontraron diferencias de género en su relación con el uso de drogas lícitas . Por otra parte , las mujeres poseían niveles significativamente más altos de espiritualidad que sus homólogos masculinos . Además la investigación cualitativa debe llevarse a cabo dentro de este grupo de edad en el contexto de Barbados para explicar mejor estos hallazgos . deSCriptoreS: Familia. Espiritualidad. Drogas ilicitas. Estudiantes

The optimal starting time of postoperative intraperitoneal mitomycin-C therapy with preserved intestinal wound healing

BACKGROUND: There is controversy about the effect of the timing of intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapeutic agents on the healing of intestinal anastomosis. We have investigated the effect on intestinal wound healing of mitomycin-C administered at different times post-operatively. METHODS: Eighty-four Wistar-Albino female rats underwent ileal resection and end-to-end anastomosis. The rats were randomly selected for intraperitoneal administration of mitomycin-C or saline as follows: mitomycin-C group (n = 65), 2 mg/kg mitomycin-C; control group (n = 13), 10 ml saline. The former was sub-divided into 5 equal groups (A 1–5) and mitomycin-C was administered postoperatively as follows: day 0 (A1), day 3 (A2), day 5 (A3), day 7 (A4) and day 10 (A5). All the rats were sacrificed on the 14th postoperative day and anastomotic bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline levels were determined. RESULTS: Five of the animals died postoperatively: 2 (15.4%) in group A1, 2 (15.4%) in group A2 and 1(7.7%) in group A3. Non-lethal anastomotic leakage was observed in a further five animals: 1 in group A1, 2 in group A2, 1 in group A5 and 1 in the control group. Groups A1 and A2 had significantly lower anastomotic bursting pressures than the other groups (P was <0.05 for each comparison). The anastomotic bursting pressures of group A3, A4 and A5 were comparable with those of the controls (P was >0.05 for each comparison). Tissue hydroxyproline levels in group A1 and A2 were significantly lower than in the controls (P values were <0.05 for each comparison) or the other mitomycin-C sub-groups (P was <0.05 for each comparison). CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy impairs intestinal wound healing when applied before the 5th postoperative day. Additional therapeutic approaches are needed to prevent this potentially lethal side effect of early intraperitoneal mitomycin-C administration

ENTERTAINMENT, SPIRITUALITY, FAMILY AND PEER INFLUENCE UNIVERSITARIES IN DRUG USE

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between family socio-cultural factors, entertainment and spirituality with peer influence and drug use among college students in one university in San Salvador, El Salvador. Multi centric study with a crossover design, 250 students from a university in San Salvador, El Salvador participated. Percentage analyzes were performed, tests of association and correlation. It was found that sociocultural factors family and spirituality could be protecting factors since most 80% positively value these two values. Most students do not use illicit drugs, marijuana 2%, cocaine 1% and amphetamines 1.2%, but consuming more licit drugs alcohol 42%, tobacco 21%. DESCRIPTORS: Family. Spirituality. Narcotics. University. ENTRETENIMIENTO, ESPIRITUALIDAD, FAMILIA Y LA INFLUENCIA DE PARES UNIVERSITARIOS EN EL CONSUMO DE DROGAS RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue examinar la relación de los factores socio-culturales de familia, entretenimiento y espiritualidad y la influencia de pares y el consumo de drogas entre los estudiantes universitarios. Estudio es multicéntrico, con un diseño transversal, participaron 250 estudiantes de una universidad en San Salvador, El Salvador. Se realizaron análisis porcentuales, pruebas de asociación y correlación. Se encontró que los factores socioculturales de familia y espiritualidad podrían estar protegiendo ya que la mayoría 80% valoran positivamente estos dos valores. La mayoría de estudiantes consumen muy poco drogas ilícitas, marihuana 2%, cocaína 1% y anfetaminas 1.2%; pero consume más las drogas lícitas alcohol 42%, tabaco 21%. DESCRIPTORES: Familia. Espiritualidad. Narcóticos. Universidade. DIVERSAO, ESPIRITUALIDADE, FAMÍLIA E A INFLUÊNCIA DOS PARES NA UNIVERSIDADE PARA O USO DE DROGAS RESUMO: O objetivo do estudo foi examinar a relação entre fatores sócio-culturais da família, entretenimento e espiritualidade com a influência dos pares e uso de drogas entre estudantes universitários. Estudo multi centrico com um desenho de crossover, do qual participaram 250 estudantes de uma universidade privada em El Salvador. Foram realizadas análises percentuais, testes de associação e correlação. Verificou-se que fatores sócioculturais, família e espiritualidade poderiam estar protegendo, já que a maioria (80%) valorizaram positivamente esses dois valores. O uso de drogas ilícitas foi muito baixo: maconha (2%), a cocaína (1%) e as anfetaminas (1,2%); drogas lícitas, como o álcool (42%) e fumo (21%) tiveram maior consumo

Functional Refinement in the Projection from Ventral Cochlear Nucleus to Lateral Superior Olive Precedes Hearing Onset in Rat

Principal neurons of the lateral superior olive (LSO) compute the interaural intensity differences necessary for localizing high-frequency sounds. To perform this computation, the LSO requires precisely tuned, converging excitatory and inhibitory inputs that are driven by the two ears and that are matched for stimulus frequency. In rodents, the inhibitory inputs, which arise from the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), undergo extensive functional refinement during the first postnatal week. Similar functional refinement of the ascending excitatory pathway, which arises in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN), has been assumed but has not been well studied. Using whole-cell voltage clamp in acute brainstem slices of neonatal rats, we examined developmental changes in input strength and pre- and post-synaptic properties of the VCN-LSO pathway. A key question was whether functional refinement in one of the two major input pathways might precede and then guide refinement in the opposite pathway. We find that elimination and strengthening of VCN inputs to the LSO occurs over a similar period to that seen for the ascending inhibitory (MNTB-LSO) pathway. During this period, the fractional contribution provided by NMDA receptors (NMDARs) declines while the contribution from AMPA receptors (AMPARs) increases. In the NMDAR-mediated response, GluN2B-containing NMDARs predominate in the first postnatal week and decline sharply thereafter. Finally, the progressive decrease in paired-pulse depression between birth and hearing onset allows these synapses to follow progressively higher frequencies. Our data are consistent with a model in which the excitatory and inhibitory projections to LSO are functionally refined in parallel during the first postnatal week, and they further suggest that GluN2B-containing NMDARs may mediate early refinement in the VCN-LSO pathway

A prospective evaluation of plasma polyphenol levels and colon cancer risk

Polyphenols have been shown to exert biological activity in experimental models of colon cancer; however, human data linking specific polyphenols to colon cancer is limited. We assessed the relationship between pre-diagnostic plasma polyphenols and colon cancer risk in a case–control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Using high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, we measured concentrations of 35 polyphenols in plasma from 809 incident colon cancer cases and 809 matched controls. We used multivariable adjusted conditional logistic regression models that included established colon cancer risk factors. The false discovery rate (qvalues) was computed to control for multiple comparisons. All statistical tests were two-sided. After false discovery rate correction and in continuous log2-transformed multivariable models, equol (odds ratio [OR] per log2-value, 0.86, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]=0.79-0.93; qvalue=0.01) and homovanillic acid (OR per log2-value, 1.46, 95%CI=1.16-1.84; qvalue=0.02) were associated with colon cancer risk. Comparing extreme fifths, equol concentrations were inversely associated with colon cancer risk (OR=0.61, 95%CI=0.41-0.91, ptrend=0.003), while homovanillic acid concentrations were positively associated with colon cancer development (OR=1.72, 95%CI=1.17-2.53, ptrend<0.0001). No heterogeneity for these associations was observed by sex and across other colon cancer risk factors. The remaining polyphenols were not associated with colon cancer risk. Higher equol concentrations were associated with lower risk, and higher homovanillic acid concentrations were associated with greater risk, of colon cancer. These findings support a potential role for specific polyphenols in colon tumorigenesis